"Welcome everyone to Penglai Mountain to participate in the once-in-a-century Swordsmanship Tournament. I am Penglaizi, the current guardian of this mountain. I believe all of you here already know the rules of the tournament, but I must emphasize one more point.
The Penglai Swordsmanship Tournament only compares one's comprehension of swordsmanship. It does not compare cultivation level nor the sharpness of divine weapons. Contestants may only wield a golden bamboo sword on stage. If you face someone with a lower cultivation level, you must suppress your own power to match theirs during the fight.
If anyone violates these rules, do not blame me for being unforgiving."
After speaking, Penglaizi emitted the oppressive aura of the Nirvana Realm, enveloping the entire mountain peak and causing everyone present to shudder.
Fortunately, his oppressive aura quickly dissipated, and Penglaizi returned to his previously unremarkable appearance.
After finishing, Penglaizi leapt toward a nearby viewing platform, where several white-haired elders were seated.
Though they did not deliberately emit their own pressure, simply sitting there gave off an aura that was unattainable, one that made others look up to them in awe.
A hush fell over the crowd.
Before Penglaizi could even sit down, a figure flew onto the arena. Casually grabbing the golden bamboo sword below the platform, he began speaking confidently.
"I am Wu Ziyun from Jinsha Island, practicing the Die Lang Sword Technique of the Heavenly Sword Dao lineage. This sword technique was created by our ancestor, Jinsha Hou, after observing countless overlapping waves.
I have average comprehension and have just entered the Heaven Origin Realm, with only a minor mastery of the Die Lang sword intent.
I wonder which friend from the Heart Sword School is willing to come forth and spar with me."
As soon as he finished, a loud shout came from the crowd of the Heart Sword School.
"I, Duan Ming from Kongming Island, will accept your challenge!"
Before the words had even fallen, a figure stepped onto the arena.
Swish!
Duan Ming casually grabbed a golden bamboo sword, holding it in his hand as he spoke evenly, "My Kongming Island practices the Kongming Sword Dao, emphasizing clarity of mind.
There is only one sword.
I have also achieved minor mastery of sword intent and wish to witness your Die Lang sword intent."
"Good!"
Wu Ziyun agreed without hesitation.
Neither of them unleashed the aura of the Heaven Origin Realm.
Instead, they infused their sword intent into the golden bamboo swords and fought using sword intent alone.
There was no wild sword energy flying around, nor overwhelming pressure from cultivation.
The two on the stage merely clashed with the purest sword intent and sword techniques.
Each time Wu Ziyun swung his sword, his Die Lang sword intent grew stronger by a degree.
Duan Ming's Kongming sword intent relied on a clear mind; the fewer distractions, the stronger his sword intent.
With each strike, he immersed himself more deeply in the fight, making his sword moves increasingly sharp.
Although both only had minor mastery of sword intent, their direct clash of sword intent captivated the audience.
"Interesting, this Penglai Swordsmanship Tournament is truly fascinating,"
Xiao Chen said with great interest as he watched their duel.
Beside him, Liu Yuer asked, "Senior brother, when do you plan to make your move?"
Xiao Chen smiled, "No rush. Let's wait for the prodigies from the Thousand Islands Sea region to act first."
Before he finished, a sarcastic voice came from nearby, "Friend, it's obvious you're from Xuanzhou.
Our disciples from the Thousand Islands Sea may lack in talent and resources, but in the sword Dao, they are in no way inferior to the prodigies on your Xuanzhou continent.
You'd better be careful."
Liu Yuer frowned slightly at these words, coldly glancing in the direction of the voice and thinking, 'This local cultivator is quite rude!'
She saw a thin middle-aged man looking at her and her senior brother with a contemptuous gaze.
"Such arrogance! Do you wish to test the sword in my hand?"
The middle-aged man said proudly, "I, a Spirit Nurturing cultivator, have long achieved great mastery of sword intent.
I would never stoop to bullying the weak.
Of course, if you want to witness my Unity of Heaven and Man sword intent, I can grant you that."
"Unity of Heaven and Man?"
Xiao Chen smiled, "That's an interesting way to enter the Dao, but from your manner, it seems you have not truly comprehended what Unity of Heaven and Man means."
"You!"
The middle-aged man's face darkened as he emitted the oppressive aura of the Spirit Nurturing Realm.
A sharp sword intent radiated from him, trying to intimidate others.
At that moment, an elder nearby spoke, "Ximen, do not break the rules."
Upon hearing this, Ximen Ye withdrew his aura.
He had not come here to compete fiercely with these Xuanzhou cultivators.
If it weren't for that brat looking down on the sword cultivators of the Thousand Islands Sea, he would never have spoken up.
Xiao Chen didn't say much in response, instead focusing his gaze on the arena.
At that moment, the duel on the stage had already reached its conclusion.
Duan Ming's eyes narrowed as he thrust his sword toward Wu Ziyun.
Clang!
A sword light flashed as Duan Ming's golden bamboo sword pierced Wu Ziyun's chest.
"I lost!"
Wu Ziyun slowly withdrew his sword.
"Well fought."
Duan Ming said as he pulled out his own sword.
Immediately, cheers erupted from the Heart Sword School side.
From the Heavenly Sword School, a cultivator jumped onto the stage and issued a challenge to the Heart Sword spectators, while Duan Ming returned to the stands to rest and recover.
A cultivator from the Heart Sword School soon followed and engaged the Heavenly Sword cultivator.
The two exchanged moves with great enthusiasm.
All sword cultivators stepping onto the stage had at least a minor mastery of sword intent.
On the first day, none with great mastery of sword intent appeared.
Xiao Chen and Liu Yuer showed no intention of joining the fight.
On the second day, cultivators with great mastery of sword intent gradually appeared, and Liu Yuer took the stage.
She easily defeated a disciple of the Heavenly Sword School and returned to her seat.
The moment she stepped down, a disciple from the Heavenly Sword School jumped onto the stage, fixing his gaze on Xiao Chen and the others.
"I didn't expect that after so many years, there are still so many stubborn people foolishly hoping to master both the Heaven and Heart sword paths.
Today, I, Guo Hong of White Cloud Island, will come to witness your sword intent.
Who among you will fight me?"
At these words, everyone's eyes turned toward Xiao Chen.
It was obvious these two shared a special relationship, clearly from the same sect.
Xiao Chen remained unmoved; he saw no need to bully a minor cultivator with great mastery of sword intent at the Heaven Origin Realm.
The crowd looked at him with disdain.
Seeing this, Ximen Ye sneered, "I thought you were strong, but you're just a pretty face hiding behind a woman.
Watch and see how powerful the Unity of Heaven and Man of the Ximen family is!"
With that, he leapt toward the arena.
Liu Yuer looked at Xiao Chen and said, "Senior brother, is this guy crazy?"
Xiao Chen nodded slightly. "Hmm, looks like he's seriously sick."
An old voice came from nearby, "Didn't expect the friend here actually understands medicine."
Xiao Chen turned and saw it was the old Harmonizing Dao elder who helped him smooth things over yesterday.
Xiao Chen cupped his hands in respect, "Respectfully, senior, I don't understand medicine.
It's just that guy looks like he has a brain disease—who would normally behave like that?"
The elder paused, then smiled and said, "Young man, you still say you don't understand medicine.
Ximen really does have a brain disease, but he's also a sword genius in the Thousand Islands Sea, who has carved out his own path by mastering both the Heavenly Sword and Heart Sword Dao."
Xiao Chen's expression turned a bit awkward.
"Senior, if I told you that everything I just said was nonsense, would you believe me?"
The elder said nothing in reply.
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